Flu Is Being Reported In All Regions Across Iowa
(Des Moines) — The first confirmed cases of influenza are already being reported in Iowa, and it’s a reminder for people to use good hygiene habits as we head into the busy holiday week. Jeni Stiles, a disease prevention manager at Cerro Gordo County Public Health, says proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses.
Stiles says if you have a holiday event planned and you’re not quite up to it, don’t force yourself.
The latest figures from the Iowa Department of Public Health say influenza activity is -below- the typical numbers for this time of the year, but that activity has been increasing over the past few weeks. Here in Plymouth County, Tara Geddes, the Community Health Director says there have already been some influenza cases reported.
Geddes says the number of reported influenza cases in Plymouth County are about in line with past years at this time of year.
Geddes says it is not too late to get that influenza vaccination.
The Plymouth County Community Health Director echoes the sentiments of Stiles, and says that if you are not feeling well this holiday season…stay home.
Boeing CEO And Sioux Center Native Is Forced To Resign
(Seattle) — Boeing has ousted its CEO over the 737 Max crisis that has engulfed the American aircraft manufacturer.
The company said Monday that Dennis Muilenburg will depart immediately and the board’s current chairman, David Calhoun, will become CEO on January 13th.
The 55-year-old Muilenburg was born in Orange City and grew up in Sioux Center.
Boeing’s Max has been grounded worldwide after two crashes – one off the coast of Indonesia in 2018, the other in Ethiopia last March – killed 346 people in all.
The Max has been grounded worldwide, and Boeing is still struggling to get approval to start flying it again.
Muilenburg spoke at last year’s Grand Opening of the Sioux County Regional Airport near Maurice.
State Executive Council Votes To Continue Defending Branstad In Discrimination Lawsuit
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group of top state officials has approved payments of nearly $400,000 to continue a lawsuit defending former Gov. Terry Branstad. A jury found in July he discriminated against former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey because he is gay and awarded him
$1.5 million. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Auditor Rob Sand refused to approve the payment. They say taxpayers shouldn’t continue paying. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig approved the bills, bringing total court costs to more than $8 million, which will climb since Reynolds is appealing the case.
Class Action Lawsuit Against Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A proposed class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of liquor retailers alleges that the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division illegally marked up the price of their products for years. The lawsuit comes days after the division’s former comptroller filed his own lawsuit alleging he was fired for blowing the whistle on the illegal price markups. West Des Moines attorney Stuart Higgins represents the plaintiffs in both cases. A
spokesman for the division has called the allegations of excessive markups untrue. State law allows the division to mark up products by 50 percent above what it paid before selling them to licensees.
Cedar Rapids Residences May Be Eligible For Reimbursement Of Fines
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – More than 20,000 people could soon be eligible for reimbursement of fines and late fees collected by the city of Cedar Rapids on traffic camera citations issued between 2010 and 2018. A proposed class-action settlement shows the city has agreed to pay nearly $3 million in
refunds and attorneys’ fees to end a lawsuit that challenged its two-year- old collection program. Those who paid late fees or who had their state tax refunds seized by the city will be eligible to seek up to $599. Pending court approval, notices will be sent to class members detailing the process for filing claims.
Clive Woman Who Ran Over Hispanic Student Had Other Reported Incidents Against Latinos
CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa woman who told police she intentionally ran over a 14-year-old girl because she believed the girl was Mexican has been charged with a hate crime for a second incident. Nicole Franklin was charged Sunday with assault in violation of individual rights. She is also known as
Nicole Poole. Franklin was charged with attempted murder following the Dec. 9 attack in the Des Moines suburb of Clive. West Des Moines police say Franklin also went to a convenience store where she threw items at a clerk and directed racial epithets at him and customers. Her attorney hasn’t returned a call Monday.
